The drops can cause blurred vision which may last for several hours. Do not drive or use tools or machines until your vision is clear again

About homatropine eye drops

Type of medicine

An antimuscarinic

Used for

To make the pupil of your eye larger and relax the muscles in your eye

Available as

Eye drops

Homatropine makes the pupil of your eye larger and relaxes the muscles in your eye. These things make it easier for your eye to be examined and your vision tested.

Homatropine drops can also be prescribed during the treatment of a condition called anterior uveitis. This is a painful eye condition caused by inflammation within the eye. By making your pupil larger and relaxing the muscles in your eye, it reduces pain and allows the inflamed part of your eye to rest and recover.

Before using homatropine eye drops

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you use the drops it is important that your doctor knows:

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to any eye drops.

If you normally wear contact lenses.

If you have been told you have a higher than normal pressure in your eye, or if you have glaucoma.

If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

How to use homatropine eye drops

Homatropine eye drops will generally be administered for you, but if you are asked to put the drops in yourself, then:

Wash your hands well before you use the drops.

Remove the cap.

Tilt your head back a little and pull the lower lid of your eye out to form a pocket.

Hold the bottle upside down near to your eye. Try not to touch your eye as you do this.

Apply enough pressure to the dropper to release one drop into your eye. Only use a second drop if the first drop missed going into your eye.

Close your eye for a minute or two, and press gently on the side of your nose where the corner of your eye meets your nose. This helps to stop the drop from draining away and keeps it in your eye.

Repeat the process in your other eye if you have been told to use the drops in both eyes.

Getting the most from your treatment

Take care not to touch your eye, fingers or any other surface with the dropper of the bottle. This could infect the liquid left in the bottle.

Homatropine will cause blurred vision which may last for some time. Make sure you can see clearly again before you drive or use tools or machines.

If you are using any other eye drops or ointments, leave about ten minutes between applying each one. This is to prevent more liquid going into your eye than it can handle. Otherwise the drops will overflow from your eye and may not have the intended effect.

If you normally wear contact lenses, do not wear them again until your doctor advises you do so.

Can homatropine eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, eye drops can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with homatropine eye drops. Unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to a new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Homatropine side-effects

What can I do if I experience this?

Eye irritation such as mild stinging

This should soon pass

Large pupil, blurred vision, difficulty with focusing

These may last for several hours. Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision is clear again

Further reading & references

British National Formulary; 69th Edition (Mar 2015) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.